Radio antenna mast



Aug. 15, 1944. H C, FAFF, 3R 2,356,085

RADIO ANTENNA MAST.

Filed April 26,: 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Aug. 15, 1944. H. c. PFAFF, JR RADIO ANTENNA MAST 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1943 (I ttorneg Patented Aug. 15, 1944 U N l T E D STAT N O FF l C E 2,356,085 I RADIO ANTENNA; MAST Henry Q'Pmmf I- East orange, N. J. Application April-26, 1943, Serial No. 484,672

6 Claimsf (o1. 182L261 The type of mast herein described is mainly used by the Navy and Coast Guard service, for

direct radio communication with ships at sea and like long distances; therefore the mastmust beof very considerable heighth, approximating an average of ninety feet, in order to avoid interference with other objects, such as nearby buildings, cliffs, trees and the like.

In order to erect the mast within a restricted area it is highly desirable that sectional construction be employed; furthermore, as most vessels or trucks used in transporting the elements of the mast are limited in their carrying capacity, such elements are necessarily restricted in length and preferably in Weight.

An ordinary mast of the required length may weigh 3000 to 3600 pounds, while a sectional mast, as hereinafter described, need not be more than one-third as heavy.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a two-part mast, each part composed-of several sections for convenience in storage, transportation and erection, and a device; for

Figs. 8, 9, 10 and '11 are fragmentary detail views showing the different types of joint con- 7 struction,

firmly connecting the two main elements to substantially constitute a unit.

A further feature is in the provision of a hollow column having steps in-its outer side and provided in its interior with means for the inlet and outlet of electrical conductors and for stay- These and other timely objects, such as a novel method of erecting a mast and for securely "staying it when in an-upright position, are attained by the simple construction, combination and arrangement of parts and processes hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, constituting a graphical component of this disclosure, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the field platform in detail,

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same and parts associated therewith,

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating the several progressive stages in erection,

Fig. 7 is a side view of the completed mast,

- Fig- 12 is an-enlarged fragmentary side view of the cormection between the main upper and lower elements-of themast,

Fig. 13 is a" transverse sectional View taken on line I 3l3 of Fig; 12, and

Fig. 14 is a similar sectional view taken on line I l-I4 of Fi 12.

Inthe drawings, the numeral l5 designates a rigid metal platform of such dimensions as is compatible with supporting a considerable weight without deflection, and is anchoredfirmly on location by-stakes, or equivalent holding means, driven through openings [6 into the underlying foundation surface.

At the center of the'plate is fixed a raised, preferably hollow, cylindrical boss l1, while ad-' jacentone: of its side edges is an angle bracket l8, its". raised member having a circular opening.|9..- i

As previously indicated, the mast is composed of two main: elements 20 and 2!, respectively upperand lower, the upper element being made in two tapering tubular parts 22 at its lower end and 23 at the upper end, the slip joint 24, being previously prepared, as shown in Fig. 8 by scarfing the upper end or the lower part.

- Fixed, .as by welding, to the lower end of the lowerpart: 22 :israabracket l5' having a raised perforate-arm and as wide extension through which may. be passed-a bolt 21 pivotally conmeeting it with the bracketlB bypassing through the opening). r

In-this conditionthe upper element may rest on iawooden horse, as at at, raising means, such asahoist; attached to'its upper end, which causes it-to turnon'the: pivot 21 into a substantially upright position, as :in Fig. v4, where it is held temporarily by guy ropes 28 and may be regarded asaginpole. V j iThe: lower element is preferably composed of a base 29 shop joined to a lower intermediate part 30, connected by a field joint (see Fig. 10) to a central part 3|, in turn engaged by another field joint with another intermediate part 32, which is shop joined, as indicated in Fig. 9 to an uppermost part 33.

Secured on the upper portion of the part 33 is a connector sleeve 34, a similar sleeve 35 being open to receive part 22 of the upper element, at a distance from its lower end.

These sleeves are connected at each side by plates 36 and are provided with radial flanges 31 having openings 38 in which to attach guy rods or shackles or cables 39 at least four in number.

Receptive of the lower end of the upper element 22 is a similar sleeve 35', opposite to which, on the lower element part 33 is fixed another sleeve 34, these sleeves being connected by plates 36' on opposite'sides; the sleeve 35' is provided with a radial flange 40, bolted to the arm 26.

When the upper element has been raised on the pivot of its supporting angle I8; and secured by the guy ropes 28, a hoist 4| is attached to-the lower element, then prone upon the land surface,

at a point along its length so that when raised,

the base part 29 will extend downwardly, see

Figs. 4 and 5, in which latter view the lowerele ment is positioned over the locating boss I! on 1 the platform I 5.

-- 3. In a radio antenna mast, a platform, a tubular element constituting the upper section of said mast, means for pivotally securing one end of said 7 element to said platform whereby said element Th guy ropes 28 are secured to the'lower element 2! as shown in Fig. 5. Thereafter, by the use of suitable hoisting mechanism 42, the upper element 20, upon being released. from its angle bracket and guy ropes 28, may be raised 'and'secured in the position shown in Fig. 7, and per-- manent'guys 43 connected at its upper end. Element 2%! is threaded through sleeve 35, 35' when being raised. "2-; v Such guys mayhave insulators 44 in their length and also be provided'with turnbuckles 45 to maintain proper tension.

If desired, the several sections of the mast may be provided with rungs 4B enabling anoperatoz' to easily ascend to the connection between the main members, and it will be obvious that electrical conductors: may be safely housed within the tubular structure, leading from its apex to the base.

It is to be noted that all joints are so arranged as to shed Water, whether'made in the, shop or in the field, and such as are madein the field are easily made and equally easy todismantle.

-The expense of construction and erection and relative light weight are factors of unusual importance.

Although the foregoing is descriptive of the best known form of the invention, it is subject to all such changes as may be desirable within'the purview of the appended claims. 'L

I claim:

1. The process of erecting a tubular mast composed of an upper and a lower section; which consists in anchoring a platform having a central step and a bracket provided with a pivot,erecting said upper'section'on said pivot, utilizing s'aid raised upper section to erect the lower section, connecting the base element of said lower sec tion with said central ,step, releasing said upper section from said bracket tpivot; raising the upper section,v connecting "the base of the upper section with the apex 'of the lower section, and guyin'g the apex of the upper section and said lower section. 1

2. Th method of erecting a tubular 'mastlicomposed of an upper and a lower section,- onaplatmay be pivoted to a vertical position, a second tubular element provided with an end adapted to have complementary engagement with said platform to facilitate the vertical positioning of said second element on said platform and means carried by'one of said sections and adapted to be engaged by the other section for holding said sections in offset, vertically parallel planes.

4. In a radio antenna mast, a platform, a tubu lar' element constituting the upper section of said mast, complementary means on said tubular element-and platform pivotally securing one end ofsaid element to said platform whereby said element may be pivoted on said platform to a vertical position, a second tubular element, positioning means on said platform adapted to be engaged by said second tubular element to facilitate'the vertical positioning of said second element on said platform, and means secured to oneof said sections for slidably receiving the other section to maintain said sections in spaced, parallel relation.

I 5. Ina radio antenna mast, a platform, a tubular element constituting the upper section of said mast, complementary means on said tubular element and'platform pivotally securing one end of --said element to said platform whereby said element may be pivoted on said platform to a vertical position, a second tubular element, and positioning means on said platform adapted to a be engaged bysaid'second tubular element to facilitatejthe vertical positioning of said.second element on said platform.

6. In a radio antenna mast, a platform, a tubular, element constituting the upper section of said mast, complementary means on said tubular element and platform pivotally securing one end of said element to said platform whereby-said element may be pivoted on said platform to a vertical position; agsecond tubular element,;positioning means on said platform adapted to be engaged by said. second tubular element to facilitate the vertical positioning of said second element on said platform, and means for securing the tubular elements togetherto constitute the mast.

I HENRY C.'PFAFT1,'JR. 

